Trying to take up that mantle will be Auburn's two most veteran players at linebacker, juniors KJ Britt and Chandler Wooten, both of whom have experience the last two seasons while preparing for their time in the spotlight . . .Mobile Press-Register

Chandler Wooten, who may have had the best spring among the linebackers, approached Williams in an exit interview after the spring with a message . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

Accoring to Auburn linebackers coach Travis Williams, Wooten is fully recovered from the right knee injury that cut short the junior linebacker's spring game and is active in the Tigers' summer strength-training program . . .Birmingham News

The feeling here is teams will try their best to run first on the Aggies, especially early in the season, to test the waters against the new starters along the defensive line . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

The biggest holes to fill on Auburn's defense come at the second level, where the Tigers must replace three starting linebackers . . .Birmingham News

On Tuesday afternoon, four-star running back Armoni Goodwin announced his commitment to the Tigers, becoming Auburn's first verbal commit in the 2021 class . . .Auburn Plainsman

As Simmons goes on to point out, Malzahn has the talent to achieve a successful season in 2019 . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

Davidson's presence alone is good news for Auburn, but the Tigers have considerable depth behind him with the likes of Big Kat Bryant and Colby Wooden, among others . . .Huntsville Times

Auburn has stockpiled talent on defense, notably defensive linemen Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson, but the Tigers' hopes of contending in the SEC hinge on whether Malzahn can get the offense back on track . . .Athlon Sports

If he can become completely healthy and practice throughout preseason camp in August, Newkirk is a player who could (and probably should) step in and be the starting defensive tackle next to Brown, but until that happens he's a bit of an unknown for the Tigers on the field . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

While Derrick Brown is back to hold down one starting defensive tackle spot on Auburn's line, who will line up next to him remains perhaps the biggest question with the most uncertain answer for the Tigers' defense heading into 2019 . . .Mobile Press-Register

Christian Tutt is expected to start at the Nickel position, where the Tigers moved the freshman from cornerback to the open field in the offseason . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

Kaleb Kim is back to anchor the center position after making eight starts in 2018 . . .Access Auburn

Wilson has the build to come in immediately and start as a fullback/H-Back in Auburn's offense . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

Talent certainly isn't an issue for Malzahn's team, but the Tigers face one of the nation's toughest schedules . . .Athlon Sports

Auburn doesn't have the same depth at defensive tackle that is has on the ends, but Brown's gamechanging ability makes up for that . . .Mobile Press-Register

After leading Auburn in sacks (seven) last season, Nick Coe opted to return for his redshirt junior season to improve his overall game as well as his NFL Draft stock . . .Birmingham News

The Auburn offensive line coach is busy scouring the country for offensive linemen, knowing he must replace all five of Auburn's starters along the offensive line in 2020 . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

Auburn added a graduate transfer receiver to its arsenal Saturday, with the commitment of Zach Farrar from Youngstown State . . .Opelika-Auburn News

"When I look at the way we all vote for Malzahn in these rankings in a given year, I start to wonder if we're all Auburn fans . . .247 Sports

The Tigers have been looking to add a veteran and hopefully big-bodied receiver since 2018 starter Darius Slayton departed early for the NFL . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

If the play at right guard can become more consistent in 2019, Auburn's offensive line is bound to take that next step this season behind a senior-laden group of starters . . .Birmingham News

Hamm and Sharp were the first two names Grimes mentioned last week when asked to name the sixth- and seventh- best linemen on the roster — and we'll trust his word heading into the summer . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

Auburn quarterback Malik Willis plans to enter his name into the transfer portal and seek a fresh start after losing out on the Tigers' quarterback competition . . .Birmingham News

How much does having a quarterback like Justin Herbert change the offense and what Oregon can do on the field? . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers

Those veteran presences should go a long way toward Auburn's offensive line being much improved this fall . . .Mobile Press-Register

Three-star defensive tackle Damarjhe Lewis, who had been committed to the Tigers for the last nine months, announced on Twitter that he was parting ways with Auburn and reopening his recruitment . . .Huntsville Times

Depth remains a bit of a concern, but the Tigers will have a strong starting five in a unit led by senior Prince Tega Wanogho . . .Birmingham News

Oregon is projected to be a top-15 team in the preseason polls primarily because of the return of quarterback Justin Herbert, who opted to postpone an NFL career to remain with the Ducks for his senior season . . .Inside the Auburn Tigers